[Elecraft] Comments from Special Forces personnel on KX2 use

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi all,

I forwarded a few questions from HF Pack list members to a Special Forces commander whose unit has been using KX2s in the field for three years. He passed along the following additional comments:

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"We prefer to use Off Center Fed Dipoles (OCFD). They work for us because they present a consistent, predictable mismatch on the frequencies we use. I made a few small baluns out of binocular cores that are 4:1, which handle the output of the KX2 on Voice, CW and digital all day long. Typically the dipoles are strung up arms-reach-high in the field, which gives us easy 300 - 400 mile range in our KX2 nets. If we're fortunate enough to have a tree, that OCFD with a center height at 10 to 15 feet or so works perfect for NVIS, at least for us.  

"You'd be proud to know my KX2 has survived remote jungles, 14-er peaks in Colorado, -30 degree F temps, a helicopter crash, and gunfights / IED blasts ....  I think the radio has held up better than I have."

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He closed with:

"Feel free to hit me up with any additional questions from the gang and I'll do my best to answer."

73,
Wayne
N6KR